Wyoming Town Wants To Put Down Roots

 

Some Gillette, Wyo. businesses have lush landscaping but others could use a makeover, the city council says.

Now established businesses have a chance to help beautify Gillette at a reduced cost. The City Council passed the landscape grant incentive program in June.

The city’s landscape ordinance dictates that new businesses must meet certain landscaping requirements, but has no provision for existing businesses. The new grant program provides matching funds for up to $5,000 for existing businesses to update or put in landscaping for the first time.

The Parks and Beautification Board will be in charge of approving projects. Grants will be available for projects that cost at least $2,000. To ensure maintenance, 25 percent is paid at completion of the project, and the rest distributed over the following three years.

“There are definitely areas around town that need to be encouraged to put in some landscaping,” said Louise Dykes, chairwoman of the Parks and Beautification board. The plan took about seven months for the board to formalize, said Larry Larson, superintendent of parks.